Under the scheme online grocery retailers would update their websites to let shoppers click to restrict the items they can see to UK-grown food only - dpa picture alliance / Alamy Sto

Online supermarket shoppers could soon be offered a "Buy British" button to filter out foreign produce as part of post-Brexit plans, MPs have said.

Under the scheme online grocery retailers would update their websites to let shoppers click to restrict the items they can see to UK-grown food only.

At present it can be difficult for online shoppers to find out where their food has been grown as they are relying on small on-screen images of items.

By contrast buying British food is far easier for in-store shoppers, who can look out for distinctive Union Jack logos on packs.

Yesterday in a Westminster debate the Environment Minister, George Eustice, revealed he has met with senior figures at the National Farmers' Union to discuss the possible labeling revolution.

The idea has been backed by MPs, who are now urging the Government to introduce a policy to encourage supermarkets to launch Buy British buttons.

Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer, who led the debate, said: "I applaud that and I think it's an excellent idea, and I hope the minister certainly takes that point on board."

cows - Credit: SUZANNE PLUNKETT

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) said: "I would like to raise the subject of labelling on online shopping, because often if one wants to shop online one doesn't know whether it's British food or not.

"Would there be a way that we could consider having a button to press when you do your online shop so that you can just choose from British produce? Surely that's really going to help us as we leave the EU?"

The comments came during a Westminster Hall debate on the future of food labelling, where Mr Eustice also said ministers were looking at using trademark laws to improve the labelling of Angus beef.

In addition Jim Fitzpatrick, a Labour MP who sits on the Environment and Rural Affairs Commitee, also showed support for the idea.

He said: " I am all in favour of promoting British produce and agriculture. It has always been our ambition to support UK farmers and I think this button would be an excellent way to do that."

It follows a "vegetable crisis" last month which left shoppers up in arms as they were unable to find lettuces, courgettes and other items imported from Spain after storms hit the region, ruining crops.

Experts said the episode highlighted British consumers' over-reliance on foreign imports, and urged them to buy more British farmed vegetables such as spring greens, carrots and parsnips instead.

At the time Celebrity gardener, Alan Titchmarsh, told the Daily Telegraph: "This is a reminder that we must support British farmers. "By relying on foreign imports we've lost the joy of anticipating of things like asparagus and fruits in the spring. We need to get back to that."